Back to Basic Mouth Health...
- naturalbehonest
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
Don't be fooled by the minty foam.
We all grew up hearing the same thing: brush your teeth twice a day and you’ll keep the dentist away. Simple, right? But here’s the truth—our toothbrushes and toothpastes might not be as clean as we think.
The Toothbrush Basics
Most toothbrushes are made of plastic, and plastic doesn’t just go away. Every toothbrush you’ve ever owned is still sitting somewhere on the planet. The bristles? Usually nylon, which means they shed microplastics straight into your mouth. Lessen the plastic exposer and choose a natural brush.
A Better brush choice:
Bamboo toothbrushes: They’ll break down naturally and they don't leave microplastics in our mouth. Here are the ones I have. They are cost as much as one Crest Toothbrush, but instead of 1 brush you get 10. Already saving some $$.
$7.98 for 10 #ad https://amzn.to/467mwz8
Toothpaste: What's behind the Minty Fresh
Here's what's hiding in the tube:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): The foaming agent that makes your toothpaste feel like it’s “working.” It’s also found in household cleaners—so maybe we don’t need that much foam in our mouths.
Artificial dyes: Bright blue or green toothpaste might look fun, but your teeth don’t actually care about color. Simple and dye-free is just as effective.
Triclosan: Once used for its antibacterial punch, it was banned from hand soaps but hung around in some toothpastes. A good reminder to double-check labels.
Fluoride overload: Fluoride can help protect enamel, but too much isn’t always better. A balanced amount is what really matters.
Ever buy toothpaste that promises to whiten your teeth… and then find yourself buying another product to actually whiten your teeth? Yep, that was me.
For a while, I thought I had struck gold with a toothpaste called Tea Tree Therapy. My teeth looked whiter, and breath was staying fresh. I picked it up at our local food co-op, so of course I thought, “It has to be non-toxic, right?”
Wrong.
Even brands that looks safe and natural can still slip in those toxic ingredients. The label might say “herbal” or “natural,” but unless you read the ingredients, you really don’t know what you’re getting. Lesson learned—always read the labels.
These days, I’ve switched to Fluoride-Free Hello Toothpaste. It’s budget-friendly (you can grab 3 tubes for under $14), free from the toxins we are all trying to avoid.
Small swaps—like switching your toothbrush or toothpaste—might not feel huge, but they add up. Your smile stays fresh, your body stays healthier, and you’re cutting down on toxins without overthinking it. That’s the kind of clean that really matters.
This journey is about simple, back-to-basics swaps, not perfection. What’s one small change you’ve made (or want to make) in your bathroom routine? Share it below—your tip might help someone else!
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